Two candidates file for Rural Fire Board positions
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POLSON — The Polson Rural Fire Board learned they’ll save approximately $2,500 since they need not run an election in 2011. At their meeting on March 9 at the Fairgrounds Fire Station, the trustees received a letter from Lake County election administrator Kathie Newgard stating only two candidates filed for the two trustee positions so no election was necessary. The candidates filing were Steve Stanley and Dean Sams.
Fire chief John Fairchild reported the fire department responded to 16 runs in February. Of the more serious calls, five were rural, one a fire, one a crash, one a propane spill and one an ice rescue.
The new fire truck, a type 3, is being retrofitted Fairchild said. According to trustee Dean Sams the vehicle will probably be ready for pickup on March 23 or 25.
The board voted that Fairchild proceed with an agreement with Jette Water Association to flush and test the hydrants in Jette Meadows if the fire department uses Jette’s hydrant system.
In other business, trustee Beth Hoel presented fellow trustees with four proposals for building a website for the rural fire board. The bid ranged from $545 to $769 for creating a website. After trustee discussion, chair Jack Clapp asked Fairchild how much the Polson Fire Department pays for their website and if he would be willing to have the trustees contact information on the site.
Fairchild said it costs $99 to register the domain and might cost another $50 to $90 to add a page with the PRFB trustees email addresses.
The trustees voted to pay half the $99 fee and any cost for the additional page.
The trustees also discussed risk assessment for new equipment. Sams said the individual oxygen bottles each volunteer firefighter carries will need to be replaced in four years.
Fairchild recommended the trustees stagger the purchase of the bottles beginning in 2012 and buy six or so each year. (A total of 28 bottles are needed.) The bottles cost approximately $1,000. Fairchild also said masks need replacing at $280 each or the PRFD could get by with replacing straps at $44 for a set of top and bottom straps. Turnouts also need to be replaced, and they cost about $3,000 per set.
Clapp asked Fairchild to make a note on equipment costs for budgeting.
The trustees also discussed additions to an agenda item and two new agenda items from Tom Eddy, a resident of the rural fire district.
The items asked for additional information added to the fire chief’s report, documentation on the crash fee program and a summary report from the crash review committee.
“From my perspective,” Clapp said, “I’d like to get an opinion from the county attorney before we even begin to address this (the requests from Eddy.)”
Clapp added that a summary report from the crash review committee on a semi-annual or annual basis would be reasonable.
After additionals discussion with Eddy, the meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be held on April 13 at 7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Fire Station.
